Algerian President’s re-election bid: 1 dead, 183 injured in Protests

Cairo, Mar 3 : One person died and more than 180 suffered injuries in protests against the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's intention to seek a fifth consecutive term, local media reported, citing the country's Health Ministry.

Thousands of people across Algeria took to the streets on Friday to protest against 82-year-old Bouteflika's bid to be re-elected, which he announced on February 10. The rallies resulted in clashes and multiple detentions.

A total of 183 people were injured in different provinces located across Algeria, Algerian Press Service said in a report. Most of them have already left hospitals, with only five people still receiving treatment. The condition of one of these five people is assessed as grave, the media outlet added.

The Algerian presidential election is scheduled for April 18. The president, who has been governing Algeria since 1999, spent several weeks in a hospital in France after suffering a stroke in 2013. Since then, he rarely made public appearances. According to media reports, Bouteflika is currently undergoing treatment in Switzerland, with his condition assessed as critical.UNI